Lowell continues Monster run

Cam Ward made 29 saves to backstop Lowell to a 3-1 victory over Bridgeport on Sunday evening, the sixth consecutive victory for the Lock Monsters.

The loss also extended the Sound Tigers’ winless slide to nine games overall (0-8-0-1) and 12 straight on the road (0-10-1-1).

Lowell has moved into a tie for third place in the Atlantic Division, and is an impressive 14-3-0-1 on home ice this season.

Ryan Bayda, Bruno St. Jacques and Chuck Kobasew scored for the Lock Monsters, who have allowed a total of three goals in three games since an 8-7 shootout win over Providence on Jan. 9.

Kobasew’s goal was his team-leading 22nd of the season. He is tied for fifth in the AHL with his plus-22 rating; teammates Colin Forbes (+28) and Eric Staal (+24) are first and second.

Bridgeport finished its seven-game road trip having been outscored 28-9.

Elsewhere on Sunday: Manitoba won its fifth in a row, as Josh Green scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Houston… Ryan Miller had 28 saves in Rochester’s 3-2 win over Utah… Mike Cammalleri had a goal and an assist to lead Manchester over Portland, 3-1… Dennis Wideman scored with 8:34 left in regulation to give Worcester a 2-1 win over Providence… Vern Fiddler picked up a goal and two assists as Milwaukee beat St. John’s, 6-2… Juraj Kolnik netted the winner in overtime as San Antonio got past Edmonton, 3-2… Michael Leighton stopped 29 shots in Norfolk’s 3-2 shootout win at Philadelphia.